People tend to consume 50% more calories, fat and sodium dining out. Processed foods are loaded with sodium, preservatives and who knows what else to keep them shelf stable. In going out or eating processed foods, we tend to order what we like thereby passing the option to eat powerhouse foods such as vegetables, and other vitamin rich foods. Home Economics is no longer taught in many schools so the only exposure children get to cooking is at home. And yet so many of us do not cook. We are too busy, we get overwhelmed in the kitchen, we don’t think it’s that big a deal to throw a meal into the microwave, or to order in, go out or hit the drive through. But with a growing obesity problem, diabetes and heart disease on the rise and a host of other baddies, now more then ever it is imperative to embrace cooking even if it you don’t think it is for you.
No one is saying you need to prep and slave and shell and mince and chop every second of every day. Start small. Maybe commit to cooking at home two nights a week. If possible, find some times on the weekends, cook some meals. Freeze them. Then they are ready for the week. If you have time during the week to cook, cook double the amount. Then you have a meal for two days. Invest in a slow cooker. Take a little time at night to prep. Then throw everything in, in the morning. Voila! Food for dinner that night. Search online for quick meals, meals in under 30 minutes, fast and easy meals. Personally I’m a big fan of stir fries. They are fast, include lots of veggies, grains and proteins and can be made a myriad of ways
At the end of the day I will never be like my friend whose joy of cooking emanates from her. My joy instead will come from my children asking to be my assistant in cooking, from the compliments I receive on the food and from the knowledge I have knowing that what I am putting in our bodies is pure, simple and healthful. If we plan right, we can find a little time. And a little time is all you need, even if you are reluctant
I am slowly but surely adding recipes onto my Happiness Series blog & to my website, www.RoslynWellness.com. Feel free to look here & there for ideas or contact me about a free health history where we can discuss food prep and planning.
